Collecting Information for Mandrake

Mandrake gathers the information it needs to install Linux. As part of the installation procedure, it probes the hardware to determine the mouse, keyboard, and monitor types. If it is unable to identify the hardware, it displays a screen requesting information. However, Mandrake is particularly good at identifying hardware and seldom needs to display hardware screens. The following screens display:

1. Language: If the selected language is incorrect, highlight the correct language. Click the triangle by a category entry to see a drop-down list of languages.

2. License agreement: Mandrake displays a license agreement. You must click Agree before you can proceed.

3. Type: If Mandrake finds another Linux on your hard disk, a screen is displayed where you can select a New installation or to Upgrade the existing Linux.

4. Security level: Mandrake allows you to select a security level. The Standard security level is sufficient for most purposes. Enter an email address for the person who should be informed of security problems.

5. Selecting where to install Mandrake: Linux can be installed alone on your hard disk or share your hard disk with other operating systems, each with its own section of the hard disk, called a partition. Depending on what is currently on your hard disk, Mandrake offers 2 or more of the following choices:

   • Use free space: Installs Mandrake on free, unused space on your hard disk. This is the choice if no operating systems are currently installed.

   • Use existing partition: Select this choice if you want to install Mandrake on existing Linux partitions.

   • Use the free space on the Windows partition: If your computer is currently running the Windows system only, Mandrake can create a Linux partition on the hard disk using part of the Windows space. The Windows partition will be smaller after Linux is installed.

   • Erase entire disk: Replace all current operating systems, including all data on the hard disk.

   • Remove Windows: Replace the current Windows partition, erasing all data in the process.

   • Custom disk partitioning: Allows you to create partitions manually. Unless you have a specific need to partition manually, such as a very unusual purpose for your computer, don't select this option. You must be fairly knowledgeable to partition manually.